{"id":1792200,"date":"2022-08-10T08:45:17","date_gmt":"2022-08-10T12:45:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=1792200"},"modified":"2024-05-02T10:03:59","modified_gmt":"2024-05-02T15:03:59","slug":"how-long-does-cooked-chicken-last-in-the-fridge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/how-long-does-cooked-chicken-last-in-the-fridge\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Does Cooked Chicken Last in the Fridge?"},"content":{"rendered":"
I like to keep cooked chicken on hand for weeknight meals. I'll often roast a whole chicken\u2014or pick up a rotisserie chicken<\/a> if I don't feel like cooking\u2014then carve the meat and toss it in the refrigerator. How long does cooked chicken last in the fridge? Unfortunately, not as long as you might think.<\/p>\r\n\r\nHow long does cooked chicken last in the fridge?<\/h2>\r\nEven though most people keep leftovers for a week, the USDA recommends<\/a> using cooked chicken within three to four days. Here's how to store different types of cooked chicken:\r\n
\r\n \t
How to Store Cooked Chicken<\/h2>\r\nStore cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. We use glass storage containers<\/a> since they don't absorb odors like plastic containers. It's OK to leave the chicken uncovered as it cools down, but covering it after will ensure the leftover meat stays juicy.\r\n\r\nKeep in mind that many chicken recipes<\/a>\u00a0freeze well, too. The Taste Recipes<\/em> Test Kitchen recommends freezing chicken<\/a> in its original package and wrapping it with heavy-duty foil, plastic wrap or freezer paper, or placing the package inside a freezer bag. You can also open chicken and repackage it in smaller amounts in freezer-safe bags.\r\n\r\nTo defrost frozen chicken<\/a>, remove it from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator. Smaller cuts of chicken will thaw overnight, whereas larger cuts (or whole chickens) may take one to two days to thaw. Chicken thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen if you don't use it. (Phew!)\r\n\r\nIn a time crunch, thaw chicken in cold water or in the microwave\u2014but know that you can't refreeze the meat if you use either of these methods. Place the frozen chicken in a leak-proof bag and submerge it in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes. A whole chicken should thaw in about three hours.\r\n
How to Tell If Chicken Is Bad<\/h2>\r\nOur recommendation is always \"when in doubt, throw it out,\" but there are some common signs that chicken has spoiled<\/a>. Start by giving it the sniff test. The spices used in cooking the chicken can often mask subtle smells, but if it smells sour or sulfury (like rotten eggs), the chicken is definitely past its prime.\r\n\r\nBad chicken also has a grayish appearance and you definitely don't want to eat it if it's greenish or bluish in color. Any visible signs of mold or a slimy texture also indicate that chicken has spoiled.\r\n
How to Use Cooked Chicken<\/h2>\r\nIf you need to use cooked chicken in the next day or two, you have plenty of options. Chicken salad recipes<\/a> are a classic way to put leftover chicken to use. Plenty of shredded chicken recipes<\/a> and rotisserie chicken recipes<\/a> will give your cooked chicken a new life. Here are even more ideas:\r\n
\r\n \t